Man faces felony charges after laser temporarily blinds Westchester police helicopter pilot
The laser temporarily blinded the pilot and tactical flight officer. However, the pilot was able to change course and maintain control of the helicopter.
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A 41-year-old man accused of shining a green laser at a Westchester County police helicopter was arrested on Friday night.
Police say their Aviation Unit crew reported around 9:56 p.m. that a laser had been aimed at the cockpit as they traveled along the Hudson River shoreline in Ossining.
The laser temporarily blinded the pilot and tactical flight officer. However, the pilot was able to change course and maintain control of the helicopter.
The crew informed police that the suspect involved was a male riding a bicycle in Snowden Park. Ossining officers responded to the scene, took Anthony Lopez into custody and confiscated the laser.
They turned him over to Westchester County police, who booked him on charges of directing a laser at an aircraft and assault. He was then held overnight for arraignment at Ossining Town Court.
Following arraignment on Saturday, Lopez was remanded to the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla.
Public Safety Commissioner Terrance Raynor has since released a statement condemning Lopez’s alleged offense and praising the actions of the Ossining Police Department.
“Shining a laser at a police helicopter, or at any aircraft, is a serious crime that endangers the pilot, other persons on board and the public in the event a crash results,” he said. “I applaud our Aviation Unit crew for their skill in maintaining control of the aircraft despite being temporarily blinded and experiencing eye pain from the laser assault. I am grateful to the Ossining Police Department for its immediate response and for taking this suspect into custody.”
